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The President's Free-Trade Path to Prosperity

A new accord with the U.S. brings Japan one step closer to joining the game-changing Trans-Pacific Partnership.

By

Tom Donilon

Updated April 15, 2013 11:04 a.m. ET

International economic engagement has been a defining pillar of United States leadership and prosperity for decades. It helped turn former enemies into close allies and major trading partners. It forged an international economic architecture on the bedrock principles of fair competition, open markets, and rules-based trade and investment. It lowered economic barriers and made possible the rise of vibrant middle classes abroad and in America.

Last week, Japan and the U.S. reached an agreement that moves Japan one step closer...